Everyone's least favorite backyard guest.
Malaria is no longer a concern in the United States, but mosquitoes still spread the West Nile virus and other illnesses. While various government agencies take the lead in overall mosquito control, homeowners can take some actions themselves to limit their exposure to these flying ruffians. Among the most important things you can do is remove sources of standing water that serve as breeding nurseries for mosquitoes. Some mosquitoes can go from egg to adult in less than a week. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Eliminate potential breeding areas by removing items that can collect standing water such as old tires, buckets, cans, plastic swimming pools and wheel barrows. Turn them over when not in use, if you can.
2. Clean out gutters and remove any standing water. Do not permit standing water to collect for more than two days in flower pots, pet dishes or on the seats of backyard chairs or similar places.
3. Remove standing water from roofs and other structures and repair any leaks around faucets or air conditioners to prevent the formation of puddles. Eliminate seepage from septic tanks and cisterns and fill any puddles or ditches in which standing water accumulates. Fill tree holes and stumps.
4. Change the water in wading pools and birdbaths once a week. Stock ornamental ponds with small, mosquito-eating fish. Treat the pond with commercially available treatments to inhibit the growth of mosquitoes. You can also aerate the pond, as mosquitoes prefer still water for breeding.
5. Remove water that has collected in tarps used to cover lawn furniture, boats and the like.
6. Kill adult mosquitoes outdoors with mosquito traps and bug zappers. Outdoor foggers can provide a temporary reprieve. Make sure you follow the directions on the implement and the insecticide used with it.
7. Prevent mosquitoes from getting in your house by putting 16- to 18-mesh screening over windows. Indoors, use aerosol insecticides containing synergized pyrethrum or synthetic pyrethroids.
8. Trim the lawn regularly and remove weeds and other excess vegetation near your house that offers mosquitoes a place to rest. If applying insecticides among vegetation outdoors, pay particular attention to shady areas.
Tags: standing water, mosquitoes from, water that, your house